I saw daffodils in Central Park today. I was coming crosstown on the bus, looking at the tall buildings to the south and thinking that this isn’t such a great spring for many of their inhabitants. Stock portfolios have tanked, jobs are precarious if held at all, and there’s fear all around as we look at a nation in debt and a future in doubt.
And yet, I saw daffodils in the park today, telling me that God and nature and everything that is eternal is not giving up on New York City, or the USA, or the world in general. The daffodils are as beautiful as they were last year, or maybe more beautiful as their bright yellow hopefulness stands in sharp relief to drab, khaki fear. If they can get all dressed up in their new spring finery and celebrate this day, I can, too. We all can. Here’s my plan:
• Notice everything – the flowers, the sky, the interesting people on the subway
• Laugh. No matter what, what’s funny is still funny
• Hang out with the people I love most. They’re my true riches
• Enjoy home and the fine art of futzing
• Read. My own library of unread books could carry me through the next six months
• Get together with people – the ones I enjoy, the ones I can learn from, the ones who are quirky and interesting and different from me
• Make real food, eat it, and serve it to other people. Real food doesn’t have to cost a lot, especially with the farmers’ markets starting up
• Explore the wonderful world of spirit – Lectures. Yoga. Journal-writing. Meditation. Church services (I’m going to play hooky from my regular church once a month and check out some of the many up here in Harlem). And walking in the park and seeing what the daffodils have to tell me.
posted April 1, 2009 at 8:11 am
Maybe you are right.
I was touched when I read your post.
Thank you.
posted April 1, 2009 at 3:28 pm
To try and create more of an antidote to the “drab,khaki fear” you mentioned,I’ve cut down on TV programmes, newspapers and DVD’s that feed off violence, negativity and fear. And I read more blogs like yours! I also overdeliver on support, connection and inspiration whenever I get the chance. Fear makes people close down and curl up so I try to do whatever I can to get them to stay unfurled and open.
(By the way, Victoria, I often have problems with the captchas on this blog. I often lose my comments or give up.)
posted April 1, 2009 at 4:51 pm
You made my day. Sometimes I think we are surrounded by beauty and fail to notice. I’m gonna keep my eyes open today!
Peace.
posted April 2, 2009 at 9:15 am
Life is a wonderful adventure. Even when times are hard and we become humble, The birds and the flowers are good for the soul.
posted April 2, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Good call on laughing, loving people and quality food. Gotta have it.
posted April 3, 2009 at 11:29 am
If futzing is the same thing as puttering, I’m with you there girlfriend. to me, puttering around my home/garden is a meditation on beauty and organization. I love your work. Thanks for the gift!!!
posted April 3, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Why write about what you know is already beautiful…We all know in our heads, our hearts, our souls and within our 5 senses that we are blessed to have that life is baeutiful and precious…It’s in the wyese of a newborn baby, a cat purring on its stomach, an older person recounting their life, but in the blink of an eye it can all change…THERE IS NO NEED TO BLOG ABOUT IT…JUST NOTICE…
I think there is too many blogs posting too much bs….We just need to GET OFF THE COMPUTER AND LIVE…
PEACE OUT!!!
posted April 3, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Balance in all things, Lisa. Balance in all things. A little computer – to hear from other wise souls not in your vicinity – and a little socializiing – to connect with those bright minds who ARE right there when you need them. What a blessing! And THAT is pure bliss!
posted April 4, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Hi, Lisa — I’m baffled by your response. I wrote what moved me at the moment, in hopes that it would touch readers, too. That’s how I’ve always written, and I was a writer long before I was a blogger.